Case Study: Hawaiian LING 345/640G Yuko Otsuka

In your opinion, what was the major factor that caused the decline of the Hawaiian language? more

Discuss some problems that the revitalization of Hawaiian was confronted with. more

Discuss the history of pūnana leo and its role in the revitalization of Hawaiian.

What is ‘Ahahui ‘Ōlelo Hawai’i? What is its function in the revitalization of Hawaiian?

In your opinion, to what extent has the Hawaiian revitalization effort been successful?

In your opinion, how ‘alive’ is Hawaiian now?

What needs to be done to secure the safety of Hawaiian in the future? What would be most effective in making and/or keeping the language alive?

Early Period Missionaries chose to use Hawaiian instead of teaching the natives English Missionaries chose to use Hawaiian instead of teaching the natives English No effort to ban Hawaiian No effort to ban Hawaiian 1867 Punahou (school for the children of chiefs) added Hawaiian to the curriculum 1867 Punahou (school for the children of chiefs) added Hawaiian to the curriculum Older missionaries oppose to the idea of introducing English to public schools Older missionaries oppose to the idea of introducing English to public schools

On the Other Hand Hawaiians wanted to learn English, making “a connection between the English language and the power and material wealth displayed by those who spoke it” (Schutz 1994: 340)

Position of Hawaiian Education Weakened Drastic decrease in population due to imported diseases Drastic decrease in population due to imported diseases Increase in the number of immigrant laborers from a number of different language backgrounds Increase in the number of immigrant laborers from a number of different language backgrounds Difficulty of producing materials in vernacular Difficulty of producing materials in vernacular Teacher training in Hawaiian was difficult Teacher training in Hawaiian was difficult

History 1887 Kamehameha School forbade the use of Hawaiian on the school grounds 1893Overthrow of the Hawaiian Kingdom 1896 School law made the use of Hawaiian in schools illegal

Decline of Hawaiian Language Radical decline in the number of Hawaiian-language schools: 150 in 1880  0 in 1902 Radical decline in the number of Hawaiian-language schools: 150 in 1880  0 in , “those who spoke only Hawaiian found it difficult to find jobs, a reversal of the situation thirty years earlier, when foreigners needed to learn Hawaiian in order to do business” 1903, “those who spoke only Hawaiian found it difficult to find jobs, a reversal of the situation thirty years earlier, when foreigners needed to learn Hawaiian in order to do business” 1917, “there is no child under 15 years of age who can converse correctly in the mother tongue of this land” 1917, “there is no child under 15 years of age who can converse correctly in the mother tongue of this land”

Again, note: The decline is due to “the desire of the Hawaiians to have their children taught the English language” (Schutz 1994: 352) back

More History 1978 Constitutional amendment and related legislation established Hawaiian, along with English, as official languages of the State of Hawaii 1986The restriction against the Hawaiian language in public schools was removed

Reintroducing Hawaiian in Education 1923 Kamehameha School introduced Hawaiian as a subject actors leading to language loss 1962 version of School Laws include explicit instructions as to the time allotted to Hawaiian in particular schools 1966 English Standard Schools were abolished 1921 UH started to offer Hawaiian

On The Other Hand There was strong opposition from the parents and the project was abandoned There was strong opposition from the parents and the project was abandoned The lack of qualified instructors was a serious problem (UH) The lack of qualified instructors was a serious problem (UH)

Renaissance An increase in tourism and more interest in Hawaiian music was responsible for the revival (Henry P. Judd 1939) An increase in tourism and more interest in Hawaiian music was responsible for the revival (Henry P. Judd 1939) In the late 1930s, the increased interest in Hawaiiana seems to have come mainly from outside the Hawaiian community itself In the late 1930s, the increased interest in Hawaiiana seems to have come mainly from outside the Hawaiian community itself UH enrolment in Hawaiian language courses increased: 27 in UH enrolment in Hawaiian language courses increased: 27 in ,277 in

Pūnana Leo Maori Ngaa koohanga Reo ‘language nests’ for pre-school children In 1983 a small group of Hawaiian speaking educators formed the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo to reestablish Hawaiian medium education. In 1983 a small group of Hawaiian speaking educators formed the ‘Aha Pūnana Leo to reestablish Hawaiian medium education. Family run preschools to assist the few families trying to revive Hawaiian in the home. Family run preschools to assist the few families trying to revive Hawaiian in the home. The first language nest school opened in Kaua‘i in The first language nest school opened in Kaua‘i in 1984.

Kula Kaiapuni Hawai‘i 1987 A pilot Hawaiian Language immersion Project for kindergarten to grade1 students at two elementary school sites The Immersion Pilot Project extended to grade A limited K-6 program with transition to English during upper elementary grades Board approval of establishment of two K-12 sites.

And Now… In 1992, 131 children enrolled In 1992, 131 children enrolled In the school year, there are approximately 2,000 students enrolled in programs In the school year, there are approximately 2,000 students enrolled in programs back